Condenser



June 28, 1932. G. T. JAcocKs CONDENSER Filed April 4, 1929 INVENTOR .a4-'ORGE 7.' (/ACOCKS BY ATTORNEY Patentedv ,lune 28,

, nutren. sTATES PATENT orifice aro anco rrtonuc'rs mconroaa'rnn, or -Nnw DELAWARE YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

YORK, N. Y., A. COBPOBATIN 0F CONDENSm i 'Application :Bled April 4 1929. Serial No. 352,344.

This invention relates to small condensers used in connection with `refrigerating machines and the like, wherein itis necessary to cool or condense gases or vapors by the abstraction and dissipation of the heat contained therein. Y i

An object of the' invention is to provide an eiiicient condenser of' simpler, cheaper and more rugged form than has heretofore beenL available.

Condensers of othis class have heretofore been fashioned of expensive materials and in an intricate manner; usually comprising an assemblage of pipes or tubes in coiled or nested arrangement. Y

The improvement claimed is hereinafter fully set forth.

ln the accompanying drawing: Fig. 1 is a View in elevation partly in section of a condenser; Fig. 2, a section in elevation on the linev2-2 of Fig. 3; Fig. 3,` a plan view of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4, a view in elevation with a portion of the outer wall broken away, showing a modiiied form of construction whereinthe successive helices of thehelical member are spaced decreasing distances apart.

in the practice of the-invention, referring descriptively to the specific embodiment thereof which is herein exemplified, a leadling and characteristic feature of novelty thereof is a spaced, helical, passage forming member i, positioned between the inner shell 2, and the outer shell 3, and in intimatecontact with both, forming the passage A. An-

Jnular heads 4, 4a,'are fitted between the shells 2, 3, adjacent their extremities, and preferably secured by welding thereto as shown. An inlet-5, is formedy at one end of the passage A, and an outlet 6, adjacent the other end of said' passage. A hollow member 7, is positioned encompassing the upper end of the shells,l and is fitted with a narrow space 7a separating it from the shell 3, and a similar space 7l) separating it from the shell 2.

Water from a suitable supply is admittedto said hollow member 7,by a suitable conduit,

, as at 70, so that said water may ow over the external walls of the said shells through the formed narroy7 spaces 7a and 7b.

Theinventipn is'preferably constructed in the following mannerz--An inner shell 2, formed of` commercial pipe, has' helically coiled upon it a bar of iron of substantially circular cross section. rEhis coilinglis accomplished'whilstjthe bar is hot, and the coils are wound in a predetermined spaced relation. In cooling, the helix thus formed shrinks upon the shell 2 to grip it tightly.

The shell 2, with the thus formed helix upon it, is then placed in a turning lathe or equlvalent engine, and the louter periphery of the the helical passage therein formed as above described is rapidly and eihciently cooled by reason of the increased relation of cooling surface comprised by the walls of the shellsV 2, 3, contacting with the flowing gas, to the cross sectional area of the passage, incident to its throat/like formation.

After cooling, the gas` has a greatly reduced specific volume, or may, in the case of a vapor, be condensed to a liquid, and is discharged from the condenser through the means 6, shown in the drawing as penetratin and ailxed to the annular head fia, but which may be attached to the condenser in any other manner provided said means serves for the eduction from the condenser of theI cooled fluid after said huid has passed through saidhelical passage.

To e'ectthe rapid dissipation cti-heat from the walls of the shells 2, 3, there is positioned on their upper extremities the hollow memher 7, comprising annular walls encompassing said shells, and so disposed with respect thereto as to formnarrow openings` 7a, 7b through which thin sheets of water may be helix l, is formed to a uniform contour of caused to 'flow over the exterior walls of said shells 2, 3. A suitable source of water supply is connected to the hollow member 7 at the inlet 70.

The eftciencyof the condenser is greatly dependent upon) the manner of positioning the helix 1, within the shells 2, 3, and it is desired to have the successive'turns of said helix so spaced that the resulting passageway between them shall expose the greatest surface of the condensing walls of the shells 2, 3, in proportion to the net cross sectional area of said passage, that is consistent with the desired rate of flow of the said fluid therethrough. Hence it follows that whereas the helix may commonly be formed with a uniform pitch, that for maximum en'ciency it may be wound with a decreasing pitch; so that as the gas cools and decreases in specific volume, it may flow through the helical passage at constant velocity or resistance; the decreasing cross sectional area of the passage corresponding to the decreasing specific volume of the iuid as cooling progresses.

In Fig. 4 of the drawing a modified form of construction is shown wherein the successive helices of the helix 1 are spaced decreasing distances apart.

A condenser formed as above described, is of simple, rugged, and cheap construction, combined with high efficiency; and is especially suited to small, isolated plants, such as refrigerating machines of moderate capacity, where inspection is awkward or infrequent.

The invention claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. In a condenser, the combination of a passageway for the traversing of the vapor to be condensed, comprising spaced inner and outer walls, at least one of which walls having its exterior surface freely exposed to the atmosphere, baffling means between the walls compelling the vapor to take a winding route therebetween, and inlet and out-let openings for the admission of vapor and the exit of condensation; and means lfor applying to the exposed exterior surface of one of the walls a thin sheet of condensing water.

2. In a condenser, the combination of a passageway for the traversing of the vapor to be condensed, comprising spaced inner and outer walls continuous in cross section, at least one of said walls having its exterior surface freely exposed to the atmosphere, baiiiing means between the walls compelling the vapor to take a helical route around the passageway in travelling therethrough, and inlet and outlet openings for the admission of vapor and the exit of condensation; and means for applying to the exposed exterior surface of one of the walls a thin sheet of condensing water.

3. In a condenser, the combination of a passageway for the traversing of the vapor to be condensed, comprising spaced walls continuous in cross section, bafiiing means therebetween compelling the vapor to take a helical route around the assageway in travelling therethrough, and inlet and outlet openings for the admission of the vapor and of the condensation; and a header having a' wall cooperating with a wall of the passageway to form a narrow slit therebetween for the passage of a film of water over the wall of the passageway.

5. In a condenser, the combination of a passageway for the traversing of the vapor to be condensed, comprising spaced walls continuous in cross section, a helical partition encircling the passageway and extending longitudinally thereof compelling the vapor to take a winding route around the passageway following the direction of the partition, and inlet and outlet openings for the admission of the vapor and the exit of the condensation; and means whereby a thin sheet of condensing water is passed over the exterior surface of a wall of said passageway.

6. In a condenser, the combination of a passageway for the traversing of the vapor to be condensed, comprising spaced walls and bafliing means therebetween compelling the vapor to take a winding route therethrough, and inlet and outlet openings for the admission of the vapor and the exit of the condensation; and a header having a wall for each of the walls of the passageway, spaced therefrom to provide narrow slits therebetween for the passage of films of water over the walls of the pasageway.

7. In a condenser, the combination of a vpassageway for the traversing of the vapor to be condensed, comprising spaced walls and baffling means therebetween compelling the vapor to take a winding route therethrough; and a header having a wall cooperating with a wall of the passageway to form a narrow slit therebetween for the passage of a. film of water over the wall of the passageway said passageway having'a portion of its walls extending into said header and provided Awith an outlet in the extended portion and an inlet at the opposite end of the passageway.

8. In a condenser, the combination of a passageway for the traversing of the vapor to be condensed, comprising spaced walls and baffling means therebetween compelling the vapor to take a winding route therethrough;

and a header having a wall cooperating with to a wall of the passageway to form a narrow sai permit thin sheets of water to flow from d hollow member over the exterior of said slit therebetween for the passage of a film of walls; and means for supplying water to said water over the wall of the passageway, said hollow member.

passageway having an outlet passing through said header and an inlet at the oppositeend of said passageway.

9. In a condenser, an inner shell; a spaced,

helical, passage-forming member pressure fitted upon said inner shell; an outer shell, pressure fitted upon said helical member; annular heads closing the Space between said outer and inner shells, and secured thereto adjacent the ends thereof; means for admitting fluid to one end of-said condenser and for educting said iiuid from the other end of said condenser and a header having a wall eo-operating with one of said shells to lform a narrow slit therebetween for the passage of a film of water therethrough.

10. In a condenser, an outer shell; an inner shell; a helical passage forming member having oppositely disposed convex walls interposed between the shells; means for ingress and egress of fluid to and from the formed 'helical passage; annular heads enclosing the space between the shells at the ends thereof and hermetically osecured thereto; a hollow member encompassing one end of said condenser and spaced therefrom to permit a thin sheet of water to flow from said hollow member over the exterior walls of said shells; and means for supplying water to said hollow member.

11. In a condenser, an inner shell; a helical member mounted on said inner shell, the helices of said member being variably spaced an outer shell mounted on said helical member; heads hermetically sealing the space between said shells adjacent the ends thereof; and water distributing means for wetting the exterior walls ofsaid shells.

12. In a condenser, spaced inner and outer shells having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end to and from said space;

a helical partition of uniform internal diameter within said space extending between the inlet and outlet, the spaces between the windings of the partition decreasing toward the outlet in a predetermined manner; and means for applying a stream of water vto the ex` terior of one of the shells..

13. In a condenser, the combination of ta passageway for the traversing of vapor and condensate thereof, comprising spaced inner and outer walls, at least one of which walls having its exterior 'surface freely exposed to the atmosphere, helical battling means be-v tween the walls compelling the contents there- "n to take a winding0 routetherebetween, and

inlet and outlet openings for admission of vapor and the exit of condensation; 'a hollow member encompassmg one end of said con- 'denser and spaced from said inner andI outer walls to provide narrow slits therebetveel GEORGE rr. Jacioox's. m 

